Cedar Rapids man sentenced to over 7 years for illegally possessing gun

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man, previously convicted for domestic abuse and five felonies, was sentenced this week to more than seven years in federal prison for illegally having a firearm.

Kirby Joe Truesdell, 48, was convicted by a jury in August for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, following a two-day trial.

According to trial evidence, Truesdell was seen Nov. 25, 2024, in an unoccupied home in Cedar Rapids. When police officers arrived to investigate, they found Truesdell coming out of the detached garage.

Truesdell wasn’t cooperative with officers and they took him into custody. Officers then found a loaded revolver inside Truesdell’s backpack.

He was previously convicted of five felonies, including drunken driving — third offense, burglary, theft and forgery. He also had a previous conviction for assault causing bodily injury — domestic abuse-penalty enhanced.

U.S. District Chief Judge C.J. Williams sentenced Truesdell to 90 months in federal prison. He was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Nydle and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hudson. The case was investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, FBI, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Trish Mehaffey covers state and federal courts for The Gazette

Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com